'Rhymefest' Smith concedes aldermanic race

After threatening to seek a recount, Che "Rhymefest" Smith has conceded that he lost the aldermanic election to Willie Cochran in their 20th Ward contest.

"I've decided not to move forward with a recount …. Rhymefest concedes, drops call for recount in 20th Ward runoff," said a message posted on the rapper-turned-politician's Twitter page Friday.

The message came after Smith and his campaign staff spent days complaining of election "irregularities."

In a phone interview today, Smith said he would remain in the 20th Ward and follow through on some of his campaign promises, such as providing micro-loans to small businesses, even though he won't be holding elected office.

Smith said he would also focus on putting out another album.

"We have to put together a war chest so I can run again or support someone else to run," Smith said.

Kitty Kurth, the campaign's spokeswoman, said that after taking their complaints to the city's Board of Election Commissioners, they realized they did not have legal grounds to seek a recount.

Cochran, who won 53.72 percent compared to 46.28 percent for Smith, proclaimed victory on the election night.